Big Announcement

I have very good news, I just got my very first Facebook page! I have eight or so friends, and my profile picture is the same as my blog. Don't you worry though, I won't forget to post on my blog, and I will certainly not forget to post one chapter each month about Roxanne Till and her adventures in the witness protection program. (This chapter might be later than usual due to the busy Christmas season, but I will post it as soon as possible.) Well, that's my big announcement.

Hiding Chapter 2: A Friend, a Sleepover, a Betrayal

             I was so excited! Today is the first day of school. Brooke and I were going to be starting fifth grade along with our new friend, Katie. As we got on the bus, I could hardly contain my excitement. Brooke, Katie, and I started to sit down, we heard the bus driver say in a deep, gruff voice, “Hey kids, only two people are allowed in each seat.” I looked across from us and saw an open seat next to a cheerleader. I started to go over there to sit when the girl said, “Don’t even think think about it!” “You tell her Hillary!” said someone behind her. I looked around and saw someone sitting all by herself. I got up, headed in her direction, and sat down next to her. “Hi” I said. “I’m Roxanne” “I’m Rose.” She said quietly. As the bus started, I gave little yelp, causing the girl named Hillary and her friend to snicker. I put my head down. Even though I was still excited, somehow some of that excited seemed to be draining away.

            Once we got to class, I was very excited to learn that Brooke, Katie, and Rose were all in the same class as me, and not so excited to learn that Hillary and her friend were also in the same class as us. As each student said his or her names, I found out that Hilary’s friend was Lindsey. Our teacher was Mr. Butler. He turned out to be a great teacher; he was even funny. The class was so interesting, that time seemed to fly by. Before I new it, it was time for lunch. We grabbed our lunches and headed towered the cafeteria.

            While we (Brooke, Katie, Rose, and I) were eating at the same table, a girl from our class asked if she could eat with us. “Yeah, have a seat.” I said. “Well I’m not sure if there’s enough room.” Said Rose. We all looked at Rose, since there was, in fact, plenty of room for this girl and more. “Uh, I mean, sure you sit here.” Stuttered Rose. “Thanks! I’m Wendy by the way.” said Wendy, sitting down. Brooke, Katie and I quickly became friends with Wendy. Rose didn’t say anything else for the rest of lunch. The rest of the school day was normal, and we went home with lots of homework to do that evening.

            After about a week of school, Brooke and I received an invitation from Rose to a slumber party at her house. I was very excited to go, but Brooke seemed hesitant. When I asked her why, she said she didn’t trust Rose. “What! Why not?” I asked, shocked that Brooke didn’t trust Rose. “Well, on the first day of school, she seemed hesitant to let Wendy sit with us at lunch, and yesterday, I saw her talking to Lindsey, and when I asked her if she went to church she said yes, but she wouldn’t tell me which church she goes to.” Brooke answered. “Well,” I started. “Maybe she only wanted people she knew sitting at the table with us on the first day of school, and Rose told me that she was thinking of joining the cheerleading squad, and so she was probably asking Lindsey how to join, and well,” I stopped because I couldn’t explain why Rose wouldn’t tell Brooke which church she went to. “I trust her because there’s no reason not to trust her.” I said. “Well I don’t think I want to go to the slumber party. I even prayed and asked God, and I still feel uneasy about Rose.” “Well, okay then, I guess I’m going without you.” I said. I went to my room and tried to fall asleep, but I couldn’t. I thought about asking God, but I didn’t because I just couldn’t believe that Rose would do anything to hurt me. I just couldn’t believe it.

            The next day, I told Rose that I was coming to her slumber party. When Rose asked me why Brooke couldn’t come, I told her that she didn’t want to jump into things too soon after moving here. Honestly, I thought that was why she didn’t want to come as well. I didn’t see much of Brooke at school, and we didn’t talk much that evening. I didn’t want there to be tension between Brooke and I. Well, after the sleepover, things will probably go back to normal. At least, I hope they will.

            The next evening, Mrs. Till dropped me off at Rose’s house. She told me that I could call her if I wanted to come home. I told her I would, and then she left. I walked in, and Rose was there to greet me. I said hello to Katie and Wendy, and then we sat down to eat pizza. I asked Rose where her parents were, and she told me that they were out of town. I was shocked! I wanted to call Mrs. Till, but I noticed that neither Katie nor Wendy seemed to be bothered by the fact that Rose’s parents weren’t home. I had never been to a slumber party before, so perhaps this was normal. I decided to wait and see how it played out. That was my first mistake.

            After dinner, we all watched a movie. Once the movie was over, Rose took out a “Clue” game, and we played. I felt a little uncomfortable about a murder mystery, but I played anyway. We weren’t surprised when Katie won. She was good at that kind of stuff. So far, everything was going okay.

            Soon we were ready to sleep, unfortunately, Rose had other ideas. We all sat in a circle, and Rose told us that we were going to become closer together by telling each other our deepest, darkest secrets. As I started thinking about it, I came up with an idea: I could tell everybody about how I was in the Witness Protection Program. I mean, I knew that I could trust everybody. It went from Katie to Wendy to Rose, and then it was my turn. I was going to blurt out my deepest, darkest secret, when I stopped. I haven’t known Rose and the other girl for very long. Could I really trust them with my life? Brooke did say that she didn’t trust Rose at all. I thought she was too quick to judge, but, was I too quick to trust? I decided to start small: I told them that I was an orphan, that the Tills had just adopted me. After that, we all went to our sleeping bags and we talked all night.

            The next day, Brooke and I walked into the cafeteria, and sat down to eat. I thought that something strange was going on. When people passed me, they gave me sympathetic looks. “Uh oh.” Said Brooke. I followed Brooke’s gaze until it fell on Hillary. She was coming this way. She walked over to our table and turned to me. “How’s it going; little orphan Annie!” I was mortified. How did Hillary know that I was an orphan? Obviously everybody else knew as well, which explained the looks that people have been giving me. Suddenly, Katie came over in tears. “Everybody knows! Everyone knows what I did to my cat in the second grade!” she cried. “They even know that your family had to get a new washing machine after that?” asked Wendy, walking over. “Yes!” cried Katie “Well,” began Wendy, “good thing nobody knows my secret or I’d die of embarrassment! Why I’d…” “Hey Wendy, how’s that foot fungus?” said Lindsey. Wendy screamed and ran out of the cafeteria. With my face still burning, I began to think: how could our secrets get out? Nobody knew except Wendy, Katie, me and… ROSE!

            I walked over to where Rose was standing, which was by Hillary and Lindsey. Rose must’ve seen me coming, because she whispered something to Hillary, and Hillary looked in my direction and snickered. “Hey Roxanne!” said Rose, obviously trying not to laugh. “Or should I say, little orphan Annie!” she laughed. I was appalled. “Rose, you said the secrets were to let us become closer together!” “Well,” said Rose, “Would you have told me your secrets if I had said, ‘I need something embarrassing to say about you in order to join the cheerleading squad and to be friends with Hillary, Lindsey, and the other girls?’” With that, they walked away. I just couldn’t believe it. Rose had set up the slumber party just to get secrets from us to gain the favor of the cheerleading squad. With a heavy heart, I headed back to class.

            I walked into the house and went upstairs to my room. I closed my door and sat on my bed. After a while, there was a knock at my door. “Come in.” I said. Brooke walked in, and I groaned. “Okay, go head and say it.” I said. “Say what?” asked Brooke. “Say ‘I told you so.’ You were right after all, Rose wasn’t trustworthy, and I paid the price. Go ahead and say it, I deserve it.” “I’m not going to say that! I came in to see if you’re okay.” I was surprised. If this situation were in reverse, I’m sure I wouldn’t act like that. In tears, I told Brooke the whole story: no adults, the clue game, the secrets, how I almost told them about the WPP, and some of the questionable jokes that Rose told us during the sleepover. Brooke told me that she was proud of me for not being too quick to trust Rose with the WPP secret. Then, Brooke prayed with me: for comfort for our friends, and me for Hilary, Lindsey, and Rose, and thanking God that His hand was in the whole situation. As Brooke said goodnight, I finally felt the comfort of having a sister. I felt, loved.

           

Cool Human Video

I found this really awesome human video on you tube. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did.

  

if video does not work, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt79_mC8ReI

A really Fun Day

Yesterday, my Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Bob, Auntie Erin, Auntie Shelly, Nathan, Vivian, and my family all went for a nature walk. We went on a fitness trail and there was a bunch of kids exercise equipment. We had a lot of fun trying to complete all of the tasks. After that, we all went to a park and hung out. My sister and I balanced on the wooden outline of the park. I also had fun pushing Vivian on the swing. Then we drove to a movie theater and saw the Frozen movie. Even though the drive was a little long, we passed the time by singing Christmas songs. This was one of the most fun days that I have ever had.

Hiding Chapter 1: A Kidnapping, a Choice, an Adventure

I will post one chapter per month of a story I wrote about a girl who is trying to find God's purpose for her life while hiding from all kinds of enemies. Presenting... Hiding: Chapter 1

These are the chronicles of me (Eliza Cox) I have been in foster care since I was six years old. The only people who have ever cared for me are gone, including my best friend Annika who led me to the Lord when I was eight. After she got cancer, I turned to Jesus for help as I did when she lost the battle. He showed me that he has a plan for me and that I just have to be patient. I live in Lynnwood WA with my foster parents. I sometimes feel like I am a burden to them. Now I am ten, and I feel that the only one who loves me is God, but that’s more than enough for me.

Last week, I was walking home from my last day of school and I decided to take a shortcut. I walked around the corner and entered the alley. I skidded to a stop.  There were two people whispering to each other. I hid behind a dumpster and strained to listen. “Here are the papers you asked for. Where is the money?” said one of the men. The other man looked around and handed the money to the man with the papers. I was so stunned at what she had just seen, that I accidentally bumped a can which in turn fell off the dumpster and hit the floor with a loud thud. I jumped up and ran as fast as I could. I didn’t even look back to see if they were following me, because I knew they were. I ran and ran until I reached home I ran up to my room and shut the door. I hid under the window until I knew that I was safe.

Today, my foster family and I are going to Martha Lake. It’s a hot day in the month of June and It will feel good to go swimming. My foster sister has a beautiful red swimsuit with yellow stars on it. I have a lime green swimsuit that I saved up to buy for an occasion like this. We got into the car, and soon we were at Martha Lake. There was a dock at the end of the swim zone that one could jump off of into the water. After a while, I swam to shore to eat a small snack. While I was eating Mrs. Hoover cleared her throat. “Eliza, we are moving soon to Texas with my sister, and we’ve decided that Texas would be too far for us to take you.” “So, does that mean that you’re not going to be my foster parents anymore?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. “Yes Eliza, you are leaving tomorrow.” Said Mrs. Hoover. I was a little hurt that they didn’t want to take me with them, but I knew that this was part of God’s plan, so I didn’t press the issue. Instead, I told Mrs. Hooper I understood, and then went back in the water to swim. I swam to the dock and climbed up the ladder. By now, I was the only one on the dock, since it was almost six o’clock. I jumped into the lake and down I went. Suddenly, I was pulled down deeper. I was really scared. I thought that I was going to drown. Then I was pushed into a submarine!   

As I gasped for air, I looked around. Three people looked at me. Finally, one of the men spoke. “Hello Eliza, I am Mr. James Miller. You’re probably wondering what you are doing here.” “I am a little curious, yeah!” I said. “Well, last week, if you remember, you witnessed a transaction between two men in the alley. One of the men gave military secrets to the other man who was from another country. These two men were at the beach today searching for you. Since we knew this, we had to bring you to safety.” I thought about what this stranger had just told me. I thought that, if he was being truthful, that I had just had a very close call. “Thank you.” I finally said. The second man went on to say that I was being taken to the other side of the lake where I would need to make a decision. “What decision?” I asked. The third man told me that I was eligible to become a member of the Witness Protection Program. If I accepted, I would be moved to a helicopter and taken to the east coast and be given a new identity. “What if I don’t accept?” I asked.  The second man spoke “Then we will bring you back and you will never see us again.”  I didn’t know what to say. I knew all about the WPP, and I knew it was serious business. “What about my foster parents?” I finally asked. “The men who were after you will assume that you drowned. Your foster parents will not be in any danger as long as they know nothing about any of this.” Answered the first man. “So, everyone who ever knew me will think that I’m dead?” I confirmed. “Yes, for now at least.” Answered the third man. I felt like God was tugging at my heart. Maybe this is part of His plan for me. “What if I change my mind later?” I asked. “You can change your mind at any time and we would take you back here.” Said the second man. I decided to give it a try and to allow God to show me the right path. Then, the men introduced themselves. The first man was George Lindon, the second was Freddie Wilck, and finally, the third was Randy Pocker. I was then put into the helicopter and we flew off to the east coast.

It was a really long ride, and I don’t remember most of it. We went over safety regulations and chose my new name: Roxanne Lace Till. We went to Yorktown Virginia and I was left in the care of another family in the WPP. I had a new mom and dad (Mr. and Mrs. Till) and they have a ten- year-old daughter named Brooke. Of coarse, that’s not their real names, but we’re not allowed to tell anyone our old names or why we are in the WPP. Brooke is really nice, and I have a feeling we are going to be great friends. There is also an eleven year-old girl named Katie who lives down the street. We can’t tell her about our situation, but we can still be friends. My new family is also followers of Christ so we will go to church together. We will attend the York Assembly of God.  That night, I went to bed a new person; literally

The next morning, I got up and went downstairs. After eating, Brooke and I went to Katie’s house to hang out. We had lots of fun playing video games, painting our nails, and talking ourselves silly. When I got home, I realized that this day was the first one I can remember that had contained no sadness or fear.

The following summer was filled with days like that. We went on camping trips, to the movies, the mall, water parks, sailing, to the beach, and much more. With the season coming to an end, my family and I decided to take one more trip. We voted on where to go, and decided on going to Texas. There are a lot of cool things to see in Texas, and I think it would be really fun. So we got the car packed and drove to the airport. After a while we were on an airplane and on our way to Texas.

We got to our hotel the next day. It was a very beautiful hotel with a lavish pool and spa. After dinner we swam in the pool and went to bed. “I’m so excited! Were going to six flags tomorrow!” said Brooke, happily. “I know!” I replied. “I can’t wait!” I didn’t think I would ever fall asleep, but somehow, I did.

The next morning, we went to six flags. We had lots of fun riding rides and hanging out. I look around at everything around me. Suddenly, I gasped. Standing about seven yards away from us was my foster family! They were ordering something from a snack stand, and would turn around any second. I pushed Brooke and her parents into the bushes. “What’s wrong?” asked Brooke, surprised. I told her about my foster parents, and she told her parents. We all became very quiet, hoping we wouldn’t be discovered. “Excuse me, but what, may I ask, are you doing.” We looked up and there was a street sweeper looking at us with annoyance. “Uh, just exploring these nice bushes.” The man looked at us with confusion. I could tell that he thought we were crazy. “Well, there are rides and snacks that I think you would find much more interesting then the bushes.” We got the point. We exited the bushes and were relieved to find that my foster family was no longer in sight. We left the park and got ready to leave. We didn’t want any more close calls.

Back home, we got ready to start the school year. I went to bed that night excited for the school year that would start tomorrow. These are the chronicles of me, Roxanne Till.

Autumn is Here!

Here is a poem I wrote about autumn. I hope you enjoy it.

AUTUMN IS HERE!
      by olivia may

Autumn is upon us; the season of the 

Leaves. The weather’s getting colder; its 

Time for longer sleeves.

The pumpkins are big and round this 

Year. Fall is here; let’s give a cheer!

Crisp, cool mornings, chilly afternoons; 

Even chillier evenings, mixed with Autumn perfumes.

My birthday’s in October, Thanksgiving 

Is in November. I can tell that this will 

Be an autumn to remember.

God created autumn; the season of the 

Leaves. God created heaven for anyone who believes.

If God can create autumn, so fine and 

Beautiful, what wonders will wait for us In heaven high above?

                                                       

It's a Happy Day

My uncle's family was visiting a couple of weeks ago. They have a 3 1/2 year old daughter named Vivian. My uncle told us that when Vivian wakes up in the morning, she goes to her parent's bedroom, wakes them up, and says, "Wake up! It's a happy day!" Vivian has a special joy that just lights up your day. I hope that she never looses her wonderful joy. What a joyful attitude she has when Vivian views every day as a happy day!

Changes of Life

Tons of things have happened since my last post. My family and I have moved from Washington to Virginia. (we are a military family) It took a long time to drive across the USA. We are really excited because we rented a house with an in-ground pool. I've also started high school. My siblings and I just started playing soccer. We had our second games today. We are attending a church called Harvest Assembly. Many changes happen in our family, some good, some hard ours are both. God has brought us to Virginia for a reason, and I can't wait to find out what it is.

My day at the beach

On July 30, my mom, sister and brothers, me, and a bunch of our friends went to Jetty Island. One could go out really far and still be able to stand up. our friends Nick and Alex dug and dug in the sand until they struck water. They then stood in the hole and we buried them in sand to their neck. It only took them about 30 seconds to get out! Brady (Nick's 11 year old brother) was sitting crisscross applesauce when we buried him in sand. It took him 8min to get out! It's really fun to go to the beach with friends.

Day 30: A motto or philosophy

A motto I like to live by is “Learn from yesterday; live for today; hope for tomorrow.” If you make a mistake, you can learn from it, and hope that tomorrow will be better. If it isn't, then maybe the next day will be. Some days are bound to be better than others.

Day 29: hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days

On August 4, my family and I are moving across the country to Virginia. The house we rented has a really nice pool. We will attend Harvest Assembly of God. I also have been writing to two people in order to get to know them. I'm excited about all the new movies that are coming out: Turbo, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Despicable Me 2, Monsters University, and Rio 2. I plan to collect as many adventures in odyssey albums as I can over the next few years.

Day 28: a scar you have and its story

I don't have any scars (yet) but I can tell you about my dad's scars: Before I was born, my dad was riding home work on his bike. He never told me exactly what happened, but all I know is that he was hit by a car and his arm went through the window of the car. The helmet he was wearing cracked in half (saving his life) and therefor is very strict about my sibalings and I wearing helmets when we ride our bikes. My dad was airlifted to a hospital and treated. Even though he almost suffered from a broken neck, all he had was a broken rib and the glass in his arm (which caused the scars) I'm really glad that my dad suffered no life changing injuries on that day.

Day 27: a Physical Feature you love

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You're works are wonderful. I know that full well." -Psalm 139:14

I don't have a favorite feature. I love every single part of my body because it was made by God himself.
"He knit me in my mother's womb." -Psalm 139:13

Day 26: A childhood memory

One memory I have is when I was 5,6, or 7 years old. We had a hamster whose name was Domino. One morning, I remember waking up before everyone else and going down stairs. Domino's cage was empty! I woke up the family, and we looked and looked without success. Finally, mommy said that it was time for breakfast. We opened the pantry, and there was Domino in the oatmeal! Looks like Domino had an exciting adventure! That was a very funny childhood memory.

Day 25: A recipe

This recipe is really good to make for Easter. They are called Resurrection cookies. The cookies is really for the kids, but the taste is definitely for everyone.

Resurrection Cookie Recipe

Supplies:

• 1 cup almonds (or pecans)
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup sugar
• Zipper baggy
• Wooden spoon
• Mixing bowl
• Mixer
• Cookie sheet
• Spoons
• Tape
• Bible

1)  PREHEAT OVEN TO 300 DEGREES.  Place one cup nuts into a baggy.  Beat the nuts with a wooden spoon until broken into tiny pieces.  Remind children Jesus was beaten by the Roman Soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

¹ Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ² The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe ³ and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.

I also included Isaiah 53:5:

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

2)  Allow each child to smell the vinegar.  Pour a small amount into a bowl and allow them to taste it.  Explain that vinegar was given to Jesus to drink when he was on the cross.  Add 1 tsp. vinegar into a mixing bowl.

Read John 19:28-30

 ²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

3)  Add egg whites to vinegar.  The eggs in this recipe represent life.  They remind us that Jesus gave his life to give us life abundantly.

Read John 10:10-11

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

4)  Put a pinch of salt in your child’s hand.  Allow them to taste it.  Add a pinch of salt to to the eggs and vinegar.  The salt represents the salty tears cried by the women who followed Jesus.

Read Luke 23:27

²⁷ A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him

5)  Place a pinch of sugar in your child’s hand.  Allow them to taste it.  Add one cup sugar to the mixture.  Up to this point, the ingredients have been very  bitter, but the sweetness in the recipe comes from the sugar.  The suffering and death of Jesus are bitter, but the sweetness is that Jesus died because He loves us.  Oh, how He loves us!

Read Psalm 34:8

⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Read John 3:16

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

6)  Beat the mixture for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed  (I recommend setting a timer — it’s important to beat the mixture well).   The whiteness of the mixture reminds us of purity and the cleansing of our sins because of Jesus’ death.

Read Isaiah 1:18:

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

7)  Stir in the nuts.

8)  Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet.  The mounds represent the tomb where Jesus was buried.

Read Matthew 27:57-60

⁵⁷ As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸ Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. ⁵⁹ Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

9)  After the oven is preheated, put the cookie sheets in the oven.  TURN OFF the oven.  Allow your child to place pieces of tape and “seal” the oven door.  Jesus’ tomb was sealed with a large rock.

Reread Matthew 27:59

⁵⁹ Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

10)  Leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Your child might feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight (they were probably expecting to have a yummy treat soon – at least mine were).  Jesus’ followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed.

John 16:20-22

²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.²¹ A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

11)  In the morning, open the oven and have some cookies!  The cookies should be hollow inside.  Remind your child that the tomb was empty.  Jesus is risen!

Read Matthew 28:1-9

¹After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

When I was younger, our family used to make these every year. We thought they were the most amazing things.